LOAN: Defender extends stay

Carlisle United have today extended the loan of Hull City left back Conor Townsend for a further two months which keeps him at Brunton Park until midnight on 30 November 2013.

Townsend, 20, joined United at the start of this month and has made three appearances for the Blues so far having settled quickly into the squad.

“Conor has done really well,” caretaker manager Graham Kavanagh said. “He has settled and adapted to life in League One and his performances have reflected that.

“The challenge now is for him to maintain the standards he has set himself. He has two months with the club to do that and we’re confident that he is going to develop and progress even more. He’s a great lad to have around and we’re all very pleased that we will be able to continue working with him.”

Townsend came through the youth ranks with Hull and has enjoyed extremely successful loan spells at Grimsby Town and Chesterfield since turning professional two seasons ago.

He made 27 appearances for The Mariners during the 11/12 season and picked up the Supporters’ Young Player of the Season award when his initial one-month October deal was extended until the end of the season.

His second loan outing came in November 2012 and, again, he was invited to remain at the Proact Stadium until the end of last season following another string of impressive displays.

Townsend has been granted permission to play in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round fixture at Morecambe at the beginning of next month.